$3500 is pretty much a baseline price for most TOTL arrangers, and some are more...
The Kronos seems a bargain, by comparison.
I agree.., the cost of the 61 key version is less than a TOTL arranger. Hell the Kronos (61) cost LESS than the PA-800 Elite. The Kronos (61) is currently at a pre-order price of $2,999! That's a hell of a bargain for what all this synth/workstation does.
I think the new Kronos line will really show how unjust the cost difference is between TOTL arrangers and TOTL workstations. Just look at these prices (from Sweetwater)
Yamaha Tyros 4: $4,999
Korg PA2X Pro: $3,699
Even look at the prices of Korgs mid PA series models!
PA-800 Elite: $3,199.., and the standard PA-800 comes in at just under three grand as well.